My thoughts on the Phillies season.

Phillies’ bats sting the Brewers as they tighten up things in both the Wild Card and in the East.

The Phillies’ bats would hurt the Brew Crew yesterday afternoon as they force the races to tighten up in both the Wild Card chase (2 games) and in the Eastern Division (2 and 1/2 games) as they defeated the Brewers, 7-3. The Phillies took a quick lead in the first, as, with a runner on first and with no one out, Chase Utley would hit a RBI double, scoring Jimmy Rollins, who has earlier singled, giving the Phillies a 1-0 lead, while Utley would go on to third on Rickie Weeks’ throwing error. Jayson Werth would make it 2-0 Phillies as he would hit a RBI single, scoring Utley from third. After Werth goes to second on Brewers’ starter Manny Parra’s wild pitch, Ryan Howard would reach base with a walk, putting runners on first and second with still no outs. After Pat Burrell strikes out for the inning’s first out, Shane Victorino would hit a RBI single, scoring Werth, making it 3-0 Phillies. The Phillies would increase their lead in the second, as, with the bases loaded via a double (Rollins), a single (Utley) and a walk (Werth) and with no one out, Howard would hit a two-run double, scoring both Rollins and Utley, giving the Phillies a 5-0 lead. The Brewers would cut the Phillies’ lead to 5-2 in the fourth, as, with two men on and with two outs, Jason Kendall would hit a two-run double on a ball that was misplayed by Burrell, scoring both Mike Cameron, who has earlier walked and would then move to second on Bill Hall’s single, and Hall. The Phillies would then add to their lead in the sixth, as, with a runner on second and two outs, Rollins would hit a two-run home run, his elevnth home run of the year, scoring Pedro Feliz, who has earlier singled, and has gone to second on Phillies’ starter Cole Hamels’ sacrifice bunt, making it 7-2 Phillies. The Brewers would shorten the Phillies’ lead in the eighth inning, as Ryan Braun hit a lead-off home run, his thirty-fifth home run of the year, making it 7-3 Phils. That would end up being the final score as Brad Lidge would put down the Brewers easily in the ninth.

Cole Hamels would get the win as he pitches six and a third innings, giving up only two earned runs on six hits. His record is now 13-9 with a 3.11 ERA. Chad Durbin would pitch an inning and a third, giving up an earned run on two hits. J.C. Romero would pitch a third of an inning, giving up no runs on no hits while walking one. Brad Lidge would pitch a scoreless inning, giving up a walk. Manny Parra would get the lost as he lasts only an inning and a third, as he gives up five earned runs on seven hits while walking three. His record is now 10-8 with an ERA of 4.28. Tim Dillard would pitch two-thirds of an inning, giving up no runs on no hits. Seth McClung would pitch a scoreless inning, giving up no hits. Carlos Villanueva would pitch three innings, giving up two earned runs on two hits while striking out four. Mark DeFelice and Todd Coffey would both pitch a scoreless inning, giving up no hits.

The Phillies (81-67) will conclude their four games series with the Brewers (83-65, 2nd National League Central, 1st Wild Card) by playing a makeup day/night doubleheader. Both games will be played later today at Citizens Bank Park. The first game will start at 1:35 pm Eastern. The Phillies’ starter will be Joe Blanton (7-12 (2-0), 4.86), who is coming off a win against the Marlins on September 8, where he went five innings, giving up four earned runs on five hits, in the Phillies’ 8-6 win. He has never pitched against the Brewers in his career. He will be going for his third win since putting on the red pinstripes while trying to get the Phillies closer to the wild card lead while also trying to eat up some more innings to help out the bullpen. His opponent will be Dave Bush (9-10, 4.23), who is coming off a no-decision against the Reds on September 8, where he went eight innings, giving up two earned runs on seven hits, in the Brewers’ 5-4 lost. He will be trying to even his record while trying to stop the Brewers’ present slide.

The second game of the twinbill will start at 7:35 pm Eastern. The Phillies’ starter will be Brett Myers (9-11, 4.22), who is coming off a hard lost to the Marlins on September 10, where he went seven and one third innings, giving up four earned runs on eight hits, while striking out nine, in the Phillies’ 7-3 lost. After coming back from the minors, he has gone 6-2 with two no-decisions in ten starts. He will be pitching on three days rest, eager to help his team. His opponent will be Jeff Suppan (10-8, 4.63 ), who is coming off a no-decision against the Reds, as he went five and one third innings, giving up four earned runs on six hits, in the Brewers’ 5-4 lost. He will be trying to improve his record while trying to keep the Phillies from getting any closer in the wild card race.

The Phillies are now trailing the Mets in the East by two and a half games as they spilt a doubleheader with the Braves. They are five games ahead of the Marlins as they defeated the Nationals. In the Wild Card chase, they now trail the Brewers by two games as they prepare to finish their series. They are ahead of the Astros by half a game as they prepare to finally play the Cubs while they are five games ahead of the Cardinals as they lost to the Pirates. The Phillies will be trying to sweep the doubleheader so that they can leave Philadelphia tied for the Wild Card lead and close to the Mets in the East.

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